April 2007

Rome Masters preview

Editor / 30 April 2007 / Leave a comment

ust a week to go to the fourth of this year's Masters Series events, the Internazionali BNL d'Italia - commonly known as the Rome Masters. It's the first of two more back-to-back Masters events with the Hamburg Masters straight after....Read more »

Player Profile - David Nalbandian

Editor / 30 April 2007 / Leave a comment

It is hard to believe that David Nalbandian is still only 25 as he seems to have been one of the leading lights on the world circuit for years, but in fact the Argentine right-hander only turned professional in 2000....Read more »

GB given Wimbledon go-ahead

Editor / 30 April 2007 / Leave a comment

It has been announced that Great Britain's Davis Cup tie against Croatia later this year will be played at Wimbledon. John Lloyd's men reached the World Group play-offs after a 4-1 success over Holland in the Euro-Africa Zone Group One...Read more »

Rafael Nadal extends winning steak

Editor / 29 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Rafael Nadal extended his winning steak on clay with a straight sets dismissal of Guillermo Canas in the final of the Barcelona Open. The world number two exuded an efficient authority right from the start and required one break of...Read more »

Third time's the charm for Dulko

Editor / 29 April 2007 / Leave a comment

claimed her maiden WTA title with a 6-7 6-2 6-2 comeback win over Romanian teenager Sorana Cirstea in the final of the Budapest Grand Prix. Victory was sweet for the Argentinian following defeats in her previous two finals at Hobart...Read more »

Canas through to Barca final

Editor / 28 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Guillermo Canas won the battle of the Argentinian stars as he moved into the final of the Barcelona Open with a three-set victory over Agustin Calleri. The 29-year-old, who moved into the last four without hitting a ball when Nikolay...Read more »

Murray eyes Rome return

Editor / 28 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Murray is targeting a return to action in Rome as he prepares for the year's second Grand Slam in Paris. The young Scot is currently sidelined with a niggling back injury and has pulled out of next week's Estoril...Read more »

McEnroe sets Federer two-year target

Editor / 27 April 2007 / Leave a comment

John McEnroe believes Roger Federer has to win the French Open in the next two years, if he is ever to be crowned champion at Roland Garros. The Swiss ace has dominated the sport for the last five years, winning...Read more »

Spanish ace continues run

Editor / 27 April 2007 / Leave a comment

has made 69 games without defeat on clay following a straight sets victory over Thomas Johansson in Barcelona. The French Open champion cruised into the last eight of the Seat Open with a 6-1 6-4 success over his Swedish...Read more »

Garbin withdraws in Hungary

Editor / 26 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Top seed Tathiana Garbin has withdrawn from the Gaz de France Budapest Grand Prix, leaving the tournament wide open. The Italian pulled out of her second-round encounter against Olga Savchuk of the Ukraine, after suffering a hamstring strain in her...Read more »

The Baseline Boys

Editor / 26 April 2007 / Leave a comment

With the Monte Carlo title once again tucked under his belt and this week's Barcelona crown appearing to be within his grasp for the third time in a row, it is hard to single out anyone who can stop Rafael...Read more »

Can anyone stop Nadal?

Editor / 26 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Rafael Nadal made it 68 games without defeat on clay with a comfortable victory over Belgium's Kristof Vliegen in the Seat Open. The Spaniard, in front of an adoring crowd in Barcelona, made light work of Vliegan and claimed a...Read more »

Henman back in the groove

Editor / 25 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Tim Henman is targeting a return to action at the Rome Masters after making a successful comeback from a recent back injury. Britain's number two played through the pain as he suffered a first-round defeat to Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero...Read more »

Davydenko through in Barca

Editor / 25 April 2007 / Leave a comment

is through to the third round of the Seat Open in Barcelona after a three-set victory over fellow Russian Yuri Schukin. The 25-year-old took the first set and led by a break in the second before Schukin, ranked 213...Read more »

Record prize money for Wimbledon

Editor / 24 April 2007 / Leave a comment

The total prize money for this year's Wimbledon tournament has been announced with more than eleven million pounds on offer at SW19. The male and female singles champion will each pick up £700,000 - the first time in the prestigious...Read more »

Robredo through as Gaudio suffers

Editor / 24 April 2007 / Leave a comment

is through to the third round of the Barcelona Open with a straight sets victory over compatriot Feliciano Lopez. The third seed needed just 69 minutes to advance 6-3 6-3 and set up a clash with either Agustin Calleri of...Read more »

Tennis profile: Tomas Berdych

Editor / 24 April 2007 / Leave a comment

At just 21 Tomas Berdych is one of the young guns of world tennis. He is in the same bunch as Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic - a group of exciting, talented players who are set to follow...Read more »

Betfair tennis preview Barcelona

Editor / 23 April 2007 / Leave a comment

The clay court season is well and truly under way now and after Monte Carlo last week everyone knows exactly where they stand - in the shadow of 20-year-old Rafael Nadal as he heads for this week's Barcelona Seat Open....Read more »

Federer learns lesson in defeat

Editor / 23 April 2007 / Leave a comment

World number one Roger Federer is remaining positive despite suffering another defeat on clay at the hands of Rafael Nadal. The Swiss ace was beaten in straight sets, 6-4 6-4, by the Spanish youngster and his losing streak against Nadal...Read more »

Russia want to play it slow

Editor / 23 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Defending champions Russia have announced they will play Germany on clay in their Davis Cup semi-final in September. The 10,000-seat Olympic Sports Complex in Moscow, where the Russians defeated Argentina to take last year's title, will host the tie. "We...Read more »

Russia reach last four

Editor / 22 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Russia's women have made the semi finals of the Fed Cup after a comfortable first round win over Spain. Svetlana Kuznetsova sealed her country's progress with a singles win, 6-3 4-6 6-0, over Anabel Medina Garrigues in Moscow. The world...Read more »

Big guns to clash in Monte Carlo finale

Editor / 22 April 2007 / Leave a comment

World number one Roger Federer will face defending champion Rafael Nadal in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday. Swiss ace Federer secured his place in the final with a hard-fought 6-3 6-4 win against Spain's Juan Carlos...Read more »

Fed Express rolls on

Editor / 21 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Roger Federer is through to the final of the Monte Carlo Masters with a straight sets victory over Juan Carlos Ferrero. The world number one lost his serve to the Spaniard early in the first set but showed his class...Read more »

Clijsters pulls out of French Open

Editor / 21 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Kim Clijsters has withdrawn from the US Open but has confirmed that she will play both the singles and doubles at Wimbledon. The 23-year-old is in her final season on the professional circuit, having announced at the start of the...Read more »

Italy announce Cup starters

Editor / 20 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Italy begin the defence of their Fed Cup title against China on Saturday, with Tathiana Garbin leading their 2007 challenge. The world number 23 will face Tian-Tian Sun, ranked 91st in the world, in the opening rubber of the clash...Read more »

Top two prepare for mixed surface clash

Editor / 20 April 2007 / Leave a comment

It's been confirmed that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will take part in a special match next month, with the clash being described as 'battle of the surfaces'. The world's top two players will meet in Mallorca on May 2,...Read more »

Monte Carlo quarter-finals preview

Editor / 20 April 2007 / Leave a comment

David Ferrer caused a surprise at the Monte Carlo Masters event on Thursday, when he beat rising star Novak Djokovic to book his place in the quarter-finals. Ferrer, 12th seed, outplayed the sixth seed Serbian 7-5 6-4 to earn his...Read more »

US handed Serena Williams fillip

Editor / 19 April 2007 / Leave a comment

insists she will be fit to play for America in the Fed Cup this weekend, despite recent injury concerns. The 25-year-old was forced to withdraw from the Family Circle Cup event last week due to a groin problem. But...Read more »

No stopping Nadal

Editor / 19 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Rafael Nadal has shown once again that he remains the man to beat on clay, after an impressive win over Juan Ignacio Chela at the Monte Carlo Masters. The Spanish ace extended an unbeaten run on his favourite surface to...Read more »

Russian ace crashes out in Monte Carlo

Editor / 18 April 2007 / Leave a comment

is out of the Monte Carlo Masters after a surprise defeat to Sweden's Robin Soderling. The Russian ace, who was seeded third for the Masters event, looked completely out of touch against his unseeded opponent and was defeated in three...Read more »

Federer struggles through in Masters

Editor / 18 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Roger Federer showed signs of rustiness as he eventually ran out a 7-6 7-6 victor over Andreas Seppi at the Monte Carlo Masters. The world number one has not spent much time on the court after early defeats in the...Read more »

Murray hoping for swift return

Editor / 17 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Murray has confirmed his withdrawal from the Monte Carlo Masters after picking up a back injury on Monday but is keeping his fingers crossed for a swift return. The 19-year-old - who on the same day made the world's...Read more »

Gasquet shows fighting spirit

Editor / 17 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Richard Gasquet battled his way into the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters and demonstrated in doing so that it will take plenty to put him out of this tournament. The 11th seed secured a 7-5 6-7 7-6 victory...Read more »

Roger Federer slams ATP proposal

Editor / 16 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Roger Federer has issued a "scream for help" against a proposed shake-up of the tennis calendar, demanding players have a greater say in the scheduling of events. The ATP is considering a proposal by the ATP, the sport's governing body,...Read more »

Andy Murray keen to kick on

Editor / 16 April 2007 / Leave a comment

British number one Andy Murray is hoping he can raise his game to the next level at the Monte Carlo Masters after securing his place in the world's top 10 for the first time. The 19-year-old Scot moved up to...Read more »

Federer to launch Monte Carlo bid - TENNIS PREVIEW

Editor / 16 April 2007 / Leave a comment

The Masters series event in Monte Carlo got underway yesterday and already Marat Safin has toppled 15th seed Jarko Nieminen of Finland. The Russian went through to the second round 5-7 6-3 6-2. And that kept him on course for...Read more »

Jankovic swings past Venus to Charleston final

Editor / 15 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Jelena Jankovic set up a Family Circle Cup final showdown with Dinara Safina after a 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-5) win over Venus Williams. Big-hitting Williams was the warm favourite going into this semi-final clash with the Serbian second seed and...Read more »

Mariano Zabaleta's feat of clay upsets Blake

Editor / 15 April 2007 / Leave a comment

World number 156 Mariano Zabaleta upset second seed James Blake to clinch a final berth against Ivo Karlovic at the US Clay Court Championships. The Argentinian qualifier overcame the world number nine 7-5 7-6 (9-7) in a straightforward straight sets...Read more »

Murray's shock at top 10 entry

Editor / 14 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Murray's rise to the big time will be confirmed on Monday when he enters the top 10 in the latest world rankings. The 19-year-old's elevation comes after Croatian Ivo Karlovic ended German third seed Tommy Haas' hopes at the...Read more »

Venus Williams sets up Jelena Jankovic showdown

Editor / 14 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Venus Williams will face second seed Jelena Jankovic in the Family Circle Cup semi-finals following her quarter-final victory against Anabel Medina Garrigues. Williams, the 2004 champion, is still working her way back to full match fitness after eight months out...Read more »

Ill Ferrero crashes out in Spain

Editor / 13 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Juan Carlos Ferrero is out of the Comunidad Valenciana tournament after a second round defeat to fellow Spaniard Alberto Martin. The second seed was soundly beaten in straight sets, 6-4 6-2, at the season's opening clay court event. Ferrero blamed...Read more »

Second seed eases through in Charleston

Editor / 13 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Jelena Jankovic is through to the quarter-finals of the Family Circle Cup after a comfortable win over Italy's Mara Santangelo. The world number nine took just 47 minutes to claim a 6-3 6-0 over Santangelo, losing only six points in...Read more »

Valencia and Houston quarter-final updates

Editor / 13 April 2007 / Leave a comment

The big names have fallen in the opening days of the V Open de Tenis Comunidad Valenciana. Top seed and local favourite David Ferrer didn't even make it to the start line, forced out by a shoulder injury. Now second...Read more »

Big guns march on in Charleston

Editor / 12 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Venus Williams took just 49 minutes to demolish Vasilisa Bardina 6-2 6-1 and book her place in the third round of the Family Circle Cup. The big-hitting American was in no mood to hang around as she swept to a...Read more »

Federer aiming to end Paris hoodoo

Editor / 11 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Roger Federer has targeted an end to his barren run at the French Open as he guns for Grand Slam glory this season. Having claimed the Australian Open at the start of the year to make it three Slam successes...Read more »

Venus still eyeing improvement

Editor / 11 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Venus Williams made light work of Samantha Stosur as she cruised through to the second round of the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, but sister Serena was forced to pull out through injury. Venus bounced back from her heavy quarter-final...Read more »

David Ferrer - TENNIS PREVIEW

Editor / 10 April 2007 / Leave a comment

David Ferrer is the man to beat as the grandly-named Open de Tenis de Communidad Valencianan as the clay-court season starts in Valencia in Europe and in Houston in the USA. And Ferrer has a special reason for wanting to...Read more »

Williams sisters make it a Family event

Editor / 10 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Venus and Serena Williams get their Family Circle Cup campaigns up and running on Tuesday. Venus will be looking to kick on after crashing out of the WTA Tour Bausch & Lomb Championships in Amelia Island, Florida, to eventual winner,...Read more »

Roddick out of Clay Court event

Editor / 10 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Roddick has pulled out of the US Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston, Texas, because of a recurrence of a hamstring injury. The top seed and home favourite aggravated the problem, which originally forced Roddick out of the Miami...Read more »

Punters eye US cup success

Editor / 09 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair punters see the USA as the favourites to win the Davis Cup following their impressive 4-1 success over Spain in this weekend's quarter-finals. Andy Roddick and James Blake were in fine form against a Spanish side without Rafael Nadal...Read more »

Clay court season begins

Editor / 09 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Who will be the Master? The Davis Cup has been and gone until September and this week marks the start of the short, but exacting clay-court season. The ATP tournaments in Valencia and Houston are the prelude this week for...Read more »

French ace claims first title

Editor / 09 April 2007 / Leave a comment

France's Tatiana Golovin caused an upset in the final of the Bausch & Lomb Championships, beating defending champion Nadia Petrov to claim her first title. The teenager comfortably beat top seed Petrova 6-2 6-1, in just an hour-and-a-quarter, to take...Read more »

Mats Wilander relishing semi-final chance

Editor / 08 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Sweden captain Mats Wilander is thrilled to have steered the side into the Davis Cup semi-finals and insists the team fully deserved the win over last year's beaten finalists Argentina. Having won the two singles rubbers on Friday, Jonas Bjorkman...Read more »

Nadia Petrova looking to break new ground

Editor / 07 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Nadia Petrova is looking to break new ground in her career after booking her place in the final of the Bausch & Lomb Championships in Florida. The top seed edged a tight first set in a tie-break against Sybille Bammer...Read more »

Tim Henman keen to push on

Editor / 07 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Tim Henman is looking to kick on in 2007 after he recorded only his second win of the season on Friday. Henman won Britain's second point of the day in the Davis Cup when he saw off a determined challenge...Read more »

Venus sent packing by Tatiana Golovin

Editor / 07 April 2007 / Leave a comment

French teenager Tatiana Golovin stunned Venus Williams with a 6-2 6-2 victory to book her place in the Bausch & Lomb Championships semi-finals in Florida. Golovin broke her opponent's serve five times as she secured a second win in as...Read more »

Davis Cup quarter-finals - PREVIEW

Editor / 07 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Murray's older brother, Jamie, this afternoon has the chance to make the perfect Davis Cup debut for Great Britain when he faces the Netherlands in Birmingham's NEC. He and veteran Greg Rusedski team up to face the Dutch pair...Read more »

Guillermo Canas given a break

Editor / 06 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Argentina have left Guillermo Canas out of their Davis Cup tie with Sweden, with coach Alberto Mancini pinpointing tiredness. The 29-year-old has been in fine form of late, beating Roger Federer twice in his last two tournaments and reaching the...Read more »

Nadia Petrova on course in Florida

Editor / 05 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Duo remain on course in Florida Defending champion Nadia Petrova is through to the quarter-finals of the Bausch & Lomb Championships, where she has been joined by Venus Williams. Top seed Petrova cruised past China's Zheng Jie 6-2 6-3 in...Read more »

US handed Andy Roddick fitness boost

Editor / 05 April 2007 / Leave a comment

The United States expect Andy Roddick to be fit for their Davis Cup clash with Spain in North Carolina. The world number three strained his hamstring and was forced to withdraw from his match against Britain's Andy Murray in Miami....Read more »

Nikolay Davydenko and Mikhail Youzhny on team

Editor / 05 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Nikolay Davydenko and Mikhail Youzhny have been included in the Russia team to face France in the Davis Cup quarter-finals. The world number four and 17 missed the first round victory over Chile and their returns will to add to...Read more »

David Nalbandian wary of Swedish threat

Editor / 04 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Argentina star David Nalbandian feels this weekend's Davis Cup tie in Sweden will be a tough match and last year's 5-0 whitewash will have no bearing on the result. The South Americans eased past the Swedes without dropping a rubber...Read more »

Venus out of this world in Miami

Editor / 04 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Venus Williams believes she is approaching top form after easing past Aravane Rezai in her opening match of the Bausch & Lomb Championships. The 26-year-old took just one hour to secure the 6-1 6-2 success, after breaking her French opponent's...Read more »

Roger Federer thrilled by Laureus honour

Editor / 03 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Roger Federer has spoken of his pride after being named Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards for the third time. The 25-year-old enjoyed an incredible 2006, winning Wimbledon, plus the US and Australian Opens, and finished...Read more »

Venus fit and raring to go

Editor / 03 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Venus Williams insists that she is now over her injury problems and will play more tournaments in a bid to climb back up the rankings. After an injury-plagued 2006 in which she missed the US Open, the former world number...Read more »

Davis Cup quarter-finals

Editor / 03 April 2007 / Leave a comment

THE men take a break from the ATP Tour this week to focus on the Davis Cup before launching themselves into the clay court season. And it is quarter-finals weekend for the big boys - while John Lloyd's Great Britain...Read more »

Nadal takes Davis Cup rest

Editor / 03 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Rafael Nadal has insisted his painful foot was not the reason for his defeat in the quarter-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open, although it is the reason why he will miss Spain's Davis Cup showdown with the US. Speaking on...Read more »

Williams amazed by comeback

Editor / 02 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Serena Williams has admitted that she would struggle to repeat her comeback victory over Justine Henin in the final of the Sony Ericsson Open. The US star looked dead and buried after losing the first set 6-0 and slipping a...Read more »

Jamie Murray profile

Editor / 02 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Big Brother is watching over you. At least he is in the Great Britain camp in the countdown to this weekend's Davis Cup action against the Netherlands in Birmingham in the Europe/Africa zone Group One clash. Jamie Murray is set...Read more »

Andy Murray closing on top ten

Editor / 02 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Andy Murray has moved up one place to 11th in the latest ATP world rankings with his march to the semi-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. The British number one looked in superb form in Florida en route...Read more »

Andy Murray doubt for Davis Cup

Editor / 01 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair punters will be keeping a close eye on the fitness of Andy Murray who, according to Great Britain's Davis Cup captain John Lloyd, is a doubt for next weekend's clash with Holland. Trading has not yet begun in Betfair's...Read more »